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Regional Farms CSA Fair Set For Sunday, February 16th

Submitted by Organizational Champion, The Monadnock Food Co-op

A free Monadnock Region CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Fair will be held at the Monadnock Food Co-op on Sunday, February 16th from 1-4 p.m. Nine area CSA farmers will have informational tables and be on hand to answer questions on their farms and CSA memberships.

Although each local CSA farm is unique and individually run, each offers “shares” of locally grown food to community members. There are variations in the price, share size, distribution, choices, pick-up sites, payment plans and variety of food offered. Some CSA farms concentrate on vegetable production, while others offer eggs, meat, flowers, berries, maple syrup, honey, raw milk, cheese, yogurt, or other local products.

The commitment from community members to join a CSA implies a willingness to share with the farmer both the rewards and risks of small-scale farming. Weather, pest damage, and crop failures affect both the farmer and the shareholder. The entire community absorbs the costs of raising food in sustainable ways, and farmers receive consistent appreciation and financial support for their efforts. The shareholders know when, where, and how their food is grown, and are assured of high-quality and nutritious produce, grown without the use of any synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

A CSA membership supports local farms and the local economy, eliminating the environmental and food quality costs of marketing, packaging, and shipping food long distances. Freshly picked, locally grown fruits and vegetables are a good value because they have superior flavor and more vitamins and minerals than many large-scale commercially raised crops. Sustainable farm practices also avoid the hidden costs of pesticide residues, soil erosion, and polluted surface ground water often associated with large scale conventional agriculture.

Local farmland in CSA use becomes healthier through crop rotation, composting, cover crops, natural fertilizers, and periodic resting. In addition, small farms are able to grow heirloom or little-known varieties of fruits and vegetables, which helps maintain the diversity and vitality of the world’s seed bank.
Some CSA farmers chose to receive organic certification for their produce, other farmers use organic and /or biodynamic techniques exclusively but do not choose certification.

Healthy Happy Hearts Week

The Cheshire Children’s Museum is celebrating Valentine’s Day by focusing on what makes a healthy, happy heart. Eating well, exercise, being kind to others and doing things we love are a few of the ways to keep your heart healthy and happy. Join us for the week to celebrate hearts!

All week long, we will have supplies out to decorate bags for “Meals-on-Wheels” recipients. Giving to others makes your heart happy! In addition, check out the special activities we will have going on each day below:

Upcoming Events at the Keene Rec Center!

Submitted by Organizational Champion, City of Keene Parks and Recreation Dept.

February Family Winter Carnival
Come out to Robin Hood Park to enjoy a day ice skating, having cardboard sliding competition and a snowman making contest. This event is free and open to the public. There will be music , hot chocolate prizes and more!